Catchers Are Special

Catchers Are Special
from http://www.baseball-excellence.com 

The catcher is unique in baseball. He is the only player that faces the defense. He is the only one that sees the entire field. He is the leader, the quarterback. It is arguably the toughest position in the game. He is in on every play and has more responsibilities than any other player. A team cannot win without a competent, effective and skilled catcher. It is that simple.

What qualities should you look for in a catcher? Look for a slow shortstop-great hands and feet and a strong arm. It is also important for him to have leadership qualities and he should want to play that position. Don’t force a player to play there. It takes a lot of “want to.”

Catcher’s Commandments

• The catcher will never show negative emotion or ‘show up’ his pitcher or teammates. Instead he will offer constant encouragement. He will exhibit the positive traits of a leader.
• He will constantly be aware of all defensive situations and verbalize or signal them to his team on the field.
• He knows that how he receives the pitch has a direct bearing on how the umpire calls the game so he works constantly on improvement in that area.
• He works every day at practice or even at home on improving technique- blocking balls in the dirt, tagging out runners, throwing to bases and fielding.
• He hustles and shows positive body language in all game circumstances. The fact his team is winning or losing is irrelevant.
• He never questions umpires calls or decisions.
• He takes conditioning and strength and agility drills seriously at practice.
• He understands the importance of his position and the responsibilities it entails.

Leyland, La Russa espouse WE ALL philosophy

Taken from Marty Noble / MLB.com | 02/27/12 7:57 PM EST

When Verlander says “all of us,” his sentence covers more than four players. To hear manager Jim Leyland tell it, the pitcher is speaking about at least four dozen men.

Leyland’s lips formed the curl of a smile as he discussed what he believes is a critical component in the Tigers’ equation.

“It all starts with talent, and you’ve got to play the game right,” Leyland said. “But if you get along with each other, it helps. And I really think l we all do.”

Tony La Russa, a man familiar with baseball success, is Leyland’s close friend. La Russa is in Tigers’ camp these days, observing and getting his March fix of the game that still stirs him. Retired, relaxed and dressed in civvies, La Russa is an unofficial and unpaid consultant with a quite flashy resume. Once Leyland was his apprentice, but no more. Now they are essentially equals, even if La Russa has more jewelry.

La Russa and Leyland discussed the importance of the philosophy “We all do” at length on Saturday both during and after the Tigers’ workout. Each believes in making each person in camp an appreciated contributor.

“Some day, in the course of 162 games, everyone makes a contribution,” La Russa said, omitting no one — the trainer, the clubhouse attendant, the utility infielder, the no-hit starter and the burly first baseman.

“It’s preferred with some teams,” he said. “It’s required with other teams.” La Russa required it of his White Sox, A’s and Cardinals teams. Leyland has demanded it of the Pirates, Marlins, Rockies and Tigers teams he has managed.

“You hear it all the time, getting 25 guys to pull together,” La Russa said. “If you want to win, you have to have it.”

But it’s more than 25.

“You invoke cohesion,” La Russa said with a serious expression. This is a man who breaks bread with Bobby Knight and Bill Parcells, a man who has the confidence of retired Lieutenant General Hal Moore. “You make sure to include everyone who’s not a player. Anyone who impacts the team. You need everyone to have the sense that what he does matters so he can feel respected and part of the team.

“You promote the team concept at every turn, at every level. Not in a too subtle way. You make them believe that everybody is needed. And the reality is that everyone is needed. What you’re trying to accomplish is not easy. But even if you win 82 games, it’s the same principle. The environment isn’t as strong if it’s only two of three people doing it.”

Leyland carried on from there, saying, “We’re lucky now. We have [men of character]. Men with good faces. Obviously, I don’t have a good face, but I think I have good relationships here. There’s a feeling that I think comes from me and the staff that we respect the players. Our hearts are in the right place. I think that makes a difference when you’re trying to have people believe in the thing and pull in the same direction.

“It starts with ability. At this level you can’t win without it. But you won’t win with it unless your people are together.”

Pitcher-Catcher Relationship-MLB.com Article

Pitcher-Catcher Relationship

Skipper wastes no time making his mark on club’s culture By Jane Lee / MLB.com PHOENIX — A’s skipper Bob Melvin is wasting no time in establishing rules and routines that reflect his managing style. Tacked to the all-important bulletin board residing in the clubhouse at Phoenix Municipal Stadium is a sign relaying a rather simple message: When traveling the five-minute journey to the club’s Minor League facilities, where workouts are being held, no cars allowed. Take a team van or be left behind. “I’m a timing guy,” Melvin said on Sunday, when pitchers and catchers gathered for their first official workout of the spring. “I want to make sure guys are on time. The vans are going to go [at] the times we want them to.” Just the fact Melvin is holding workouts at Papago Park Sports Complex, rather than at Phoenix Muni like in recent years while former manager Bob Geren was at the helm, signals change. The former arena houses six fields, the latter just two. “You can do more work in a shorter amount of time on multiple fields, and you have a six-pack [of mounds] here, where you’re able to see six pitchers at a time — whereas the other side, you just have two mounds and you pick two guys who you want to see on a particular day. … I think it’s important to get numerous guys throwing at the same time, so our staff can see more.” Sure enough, coaches were seen transitioning from one field to the next on Sunday for a variety of drills, as were the players. More than a dozen pitchers threw bullpens, including Brandon McCarthy, Brad Peacock and 2011 first-round Draft pick. The action was preceded by an hour-long meeting that was meant mostly for introductions. Melvin did, though, use the first day to relay the significance of relationships between pitchers and catchers. “We’re trying to cultivate that, let the pitchers know that if they throw the ball and nobody’s there to catch it, they’re probably going to have to go and pick it up,” said Melvin, a former big league backstop himself. “The catchers are an extension of the pitcher, and we want our guys to feel like when a pitcher gives up a run, that’s their run, too, on their ERA. I don’t want the pitchers thinking they’re out there alone.” Melvin and Co. had the opportunity to begin camp nearly a week earlier than they did because of the club’s early-season series against the Mariners in Japan. Seattle took advantage of the time, having its pitchers and catchers report Feb. 12. But Melvin decided not to do the same, opting to keep his players on their normal offseason schedule. “You can do all the work like this to get their arms ready and so forth, but it’s when you get into games that you really start to find out about people,” Melvin said. “We didn’t feel like we needed to go too early. We’re talking about two regular-season games, and then we come back and resume exhibition games.” The Melvin-run schedule continues on Monday, when rehabbing hurlers Dallas Braden and Brett Anderson are both slated to throw a bullpen session.

Jane Lee is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Major Lee-ague, and follow her on Twitter @JaneMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Impact of Bunting – Charlie Manual

Manuel wants more bunting in 2012. “I was talking [to our coaches] today,” Manuel said Monday. “We’re going to do more bunting sessions. We’re going to get [Shane Victorino] and Jimmy [Rollins] and [Juan] Pierre and [Michael] Martinez. … If Victorino bunted 15-20 times a year and got both of the corners up, the balls he slices and hits hard, there are more ground balls that go through the infield.”

A Champion

Those of you who have been around BCBA for a while, and those of you who have been to our Indoor and Summer Camps/Clinics, know first-hand that we rarely talk about wins and losses – the coaching staff and instructors talk about playing the game the right way, playing with integrity and character, playing as gentlemen, and playing as a team. The “We Train Champions” adage is that we consider A Champion not necessarily to be those who win games, but those who take losses or challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. We consider A Champion to be one who never gives in even when he appears beaten. We see A Champion as a person who is resilient and continues to compete regardless of the situation. We see A Champions as one who plays as a teammate, with self-discipline, and selflessly…one who gives up personal success for team success. It is often difficult for payers to not be aware of personal stats since baseball is frequently discussed in numbers. It is not easy putting aside personal success for team success, but as a college coach and a high school head coach, players that comport themselves as such are the foundation of a successful program.

A Champion is one who plays with respect for his opponent, his teammates, his coaches, his parents, the umpire, and for himself. We see A Champion as one who takes responsibility for his own success and failure does not transfer blame to others such as the umpire, the other team, the mound, the dirt, the coach. Leaders and great coaches hold this philosophy as the base of their constitution and speak to their players and athletes about this frequently.

Baseball is a very difficult game, and there is a lot of failure. At times, honestly, the game is just unfair. It is important for the players to understand these concepts. It is necessary for coaches to talk with the team frequently about these items. Also, the reality is that very few ball players will play high school ball, even fewer play college, and the very talented and fortunate will have an opportunity to play professionally. BUT, we hope that each young player has a chance to grow into adulthood, with a career, and a companion (and maybe kids if he chooses). Hitting the ball the other way, staying down on a hard hit ground ball, or throwing a curve ball are little help then. But understanding self-discipline, being resilient, and just competing every day – these are skills that will help each ball player as a man. That’s what baseball coaches are really teaching – Being A Champion!

Integrity and Coaching

As Coach Marlow says, we coaches are the stewards of the game of baseball.  Our responsibilities include educating young ball players about the game and how to play the game, but also we have a responsibility to each player to prepare him for life after he hangs up the proverbial cleats. At the 1991 College Football Hall of Fame Dinner, Joe Paterno, Penn State Head Football Coach, said, “What are coaches?  No. 1, we’re teachers and we are educators.  We have the same obligation as all teachers…, except we probably have more influence over our young people than anyone, other than their families.” Both Coach Marlow’s and Coach Paterno’s insights carry much weight and hold a resounding truth.  Coaches have many responsibilities, none greater than upholding the integrity of the game and educating young individuals on how to play the game with character and pride. 

A team’s behavior reflects the leadership of the coaching staff, primarily the head coach.  The head coach creates the culture of the team, and the assistant coaches follow the head coach’s lead regarding disposition, language, behavior, and character.  The head coach is responsible for teaching his player’s appropriate behavior during games.   He is also responsible for the actions of all of his players as well as the action of his coaches in practice and in games.  For instance, players should never question as umpire’s calls or cheer against the other team.  Teams that do this lack character and class, regardless of record and success on the field.  Also, ballplayers should never throw helmets or other equipment.  This is unacceptable and show poor emotional maturity.  A head coach must set a high standard.  Do not lower yourself and debase your team and program by conducting yourself at the level of another poorly coached team.  Play with class. 

Many ballplayers do not play the game past the Little League level because the game gets more complex, intense, and challenging.  Very few will play high school baseball, and even fewer, less than three in 50, or about 5.6 percent, of high school senior baseball players will go on to play men’s baseball at a NCAA member institution. Also, less than eleven in 100, or about 10.5 percent, of NCAA senior male baseball players will get drafted by a Major League Baseball (MLB) team.  Approximately one in 200, or approximately 0.5 percent of high school senior boys playing interscholastic baseball will eventually be drafted by an MLB team. (http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/probability.htm).  With this in mind, as each young athlete grows to be a young man, he takes the intangible lessons with him.  The lessons he learns about self-discipline, character, integrity, playing with class, and overcoming failure and adversity are the skills that will enable one to succeed beyond the diamond.  This is how a coach should define success.

Welcome!

Welcome Everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

I will be sharing insights on topical issues relevant to the game of baseball for parents, players, coaches, instructors, and any other fan of the game.  Information will be germane to many components of the game, such as, but not limited to, the following:  choosing a summer team, what coaches are looking for at tryouts, game day/practice routines, pitcher’s bullpens, arm care, selecting a camp or clinic for instruction, rainy day workouts and practices, developing baseball IQ, base running, hitting, pitching, defense, and books to read regarding the game. Occasionally, I will opine about some personal philosophy of the game of baseball.

Yours in Baseball,

Dan